USB Hub Causing Slowdown?

[scottcampbell]

Hello, I could use your help troubleshooting an issue with slowdown! I've included a list of the products I was using and included Amazon links if it helps anyone to see the specific models.

I have a late 2012 MacBook Pro with 2 USB ports.

• Port 1: Time Machine hard drive
• Port 2: Anker USB Hub (Amazon)
  • Anker Mouse Receiver (Amazon)
  • Blue Yeti Microphone (Amazon)
  • Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 (Amazon)

I started noticing slowdown with my mouse. If I took out the USB hub and just plug the mouse receiver in directly, the slowdown stopped right away.

This problem hasn't always happened. But I think back to times where my webcam has lagged, and I wonder if there's some kind of USB data bottleneck that happens intermittently.

Could you help me pinpoint the issue? A bad USB hub? Too many demanding accessories? Should I buy a BlueTooth mouse that doesn't require a USB receiver?

Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

"I started noticing slowdown with my mouse. If I took out the USB hub and just plug the mouse receiver in directly, the slowdown stopped right away."

There's your answer.

 

[scottcampbell]

"I started noticing slowdown with my mouse. If I took out the USB hub and just plug the mouse receiver in directly, the slowdown stopped right away."

There's your answer.

Hoping for a little more guidance, because I need to find a way to use all these accessories at once.

Could the problem be fixed by buying a better USB hub? If so, do you have a specific recommendation?

Is one USB port on the late 2012 MacBook Pro faster than another?

Or does the late 2012 MacBook Pro have issues with too many USB accessories in general?

 

[chown33]

The problem may be RF interference from a component or cable, and not the hub's data transfer speed.

Check the cables first by swapping them. That's easy and usually fairly inexpensive. Swap or remove one at a time, and take notes so you know what happens after each change (swap, add, or remove).

Don't forget to check the cables to the TM drive. It's simplest to temporarily disconnect the drive and turn it off. If the problem resolves and stays that way, you can then break it down to drive, cable, power supply (if any).

 

[chabig]

May I suggest a Bluetooth mouse? In my opinion, no mouse should require a receiver.

 

[scottcampbell]

Question, could this be due to my USB hub not being powered?